Decorative Athletic Earpieces

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to decorative athletic earpieces, some including: a reinforcement member having: (i) a first portion positionable at a first section of an ear, with a first end spring biased; and (ii) a second portion positionable at a second section of the ear, with a second end spring biased; and a protective skin at least partially covering the reinforcement member. The protective skin is configured to form-fit the ear at an attachment point.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to athletic earpieces, particularlydecorative athletic earpieces that can be worn during contact sports.

BACKGROUND

Wearing jewelry is a part of popular culture. Male and female athleteswear jewelry when permitted and doing so enhances their overallaesthetic. Jewelry worn in or on the ear, or earrings, will typicallyhave a metal post inserted through a section of the ear and some jewelor design displayed on one side of the earring. Other designs do notrequire the ear to be pierced such as clip-on earrings. These designssandwich a section of the ear between two ends, one movable towards orspring biased with respect to the other. See e.g., Japanese Patent No.:JPH09117311 entitled “Clip-Type Earring.”

Athletes who participate in contact sports, e.g., basketball orsoftball, cannot wear traditional jewelry such as earrings—pierced orclip-ons. See e.g., the 2014-2015 Official Rules of the NationalBasketball Association, Rule No. 2, §IIb-c—Duties of the Officials:“[t]he officials shall not permit players to play with any type of hand,arm, face, nose, ear, head or neck jewelry.” Still, many athletes desireto be fashionable during the competition. Particularly, professional andcollegiate level athletes are under a lime light. Their competitions arerecorded and heavily broadcasted so their aesthetic is under amagnifying glass. Understandably, even athletes in the middle of acompetition want to look their best. At least some of their betteraesthetics are forfeited to the rules of play as jewelry cannot be wornduring competition in many sports.

Mass media exposure also creates marketing opportunities. Professionalathletes often have their action shots magnified, replayed, reprinted onposters, billboards, sides of buildings, mass transportation devices,personal wall decals and in retail store displays. The equipment anotorious athlete uses or wears during a game is alsoexposed—wristbands, arm bands, gloves, sleeves, water bottles andheadbands are promoted with the athlete. Thus, when an athlete is notallowed to adorn their ears during competitions a tremendous marketingopportunity is lost.

Some existing athletic ear wear has sought to protect traditionalearrings while a player participates in contact sports. For example,U.S. Pat. No. 8,113,208 titled “Apparatus and Method for ProtectingEarlobes of Athletes” teaches the use of a protector that adheres to theear and covers a traditional earring. The bond created by adhesives mayerode, however, with perspiration which is highly probable. Otherdesigns seek to clamp around a portion of the ear. See e.g., US PatentPublication 2015/0181990 titled “An Ear Protection Device for Athletes”which teaches a device having a back arched portion in tension with afront face to be worn without removing a traditional earring. Thisdesign, however, is less desirable as there are rules and policies, likeNBA Rule No. 2, §IIb-c, that would prohibit a pierced or clip-on earringfrom being worn at all, covered or uncovered.

Therefore, it is desirable to have a fashionable earpiece that can beworn during contact sports and other competitions. A more secureattachment is also needed.

SUMMARY

In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure a decorativeathletic earpiece, includes: a reinforcement member having: (i) a firstportion positionable at a first section of an ear, with a first endspring biased; and (ii) a second portion positionable at a secondsection of the ear, with a second end spring biased; and a protectiveskin at least partially covering the reinforcement member. Theprotective skin is configured to form-fit the ear at an attachmentpoint.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure a decorative athleticearpiece, includes: a reinforcement member having: (i) a first portionwith a first leaf spring; and (ii) a second portion with a second leafspring; and a protective skin at least partially covering thereinforcement member. The first portion and second portion areinterconnected. The first and second leaf springs have a longitudinalaxis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the earpiece.

In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure a decorativeathletic earpiece, includes: a reinforcement member having a leafspring; and a protective skin at least partially covering thereinforcement member. A portion of the protective skin is configured torest on a side of the ear opposite a leaf-spring side of the ear. Theleaf spring has a longitudinal axis parallel to a longitudinal axis ofthe earpiece.

The present teachings provide fashionable earpieces wearable duringcontact sports and other competitions. At least some embodiments includea design surface where different signs can be displayed. Accordingly,increased aesthetics and/or marketing is achieved when utilizing thedisclosed earpieces.

Some of the disclosed embodiments provide a form-fit to the eardelivering a more secure attachment during competitions. The use ofadhesives is not required and the fit is water proof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Techniques will be explained in greater detail below by way of examplewith reference to the figures, in which the same reference numbers areused in the figures for identical or essentially identical elements. Theabove features and advantages and other features and advantages of thepresent disclosure are readily apparent from the following detaileddescription when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. Inthe figures:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an athlete with traditionalearrings.

FIG. 2A is a schematic illustration of an athlete without traditionalearrings.

FIG. 2B is a schematic illustration of an athlete with a decorativeathletic earpiece according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 3A-B are schematic illustrations of an athlete without and withthe decorative athletic earpiece of FIG. 2B, respectively.

FIG. 4 is an assembly view of the athlete and athletic earpiece of FIG.2B.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the earpiece of FIG. 2B with areinforcement member.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the earpiece of FIG. 2B.

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of an ear and the earpiece of FIG.2B.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of another earpiece according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a reinforcement member for use with theearpiece of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of an ear and earpiece according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the earpiece of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a reinforcement member for use with theearpiece of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an earpiece according to anotherexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 14A-C are schematic illustrations of an ear and earpiece accordingto another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a reinforcement member and temple foruse with the earpiece of FIGS. 14A-C.

FIGS. 16A-B are schematic illustrations of an ear and earpiece accordingto another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the earpiece of FIGS. 16A-B.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a reinforcement member for use with theearpiece of FIGS. 16A-B.

FIGS. 19A-B are top views of the reinforcement member of FIG. 18 in anopened and closed position, respectively.

FIG. 20 is a schematic illustration of an ear and earpiece according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the earpiece of FIG. 20.

FIGS. 22A-B are top views of the earpiece of FIG. 20 in an opened andclosed position, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, wherein like characters represent the same orcorresponding parts throughout the several views there is shown variousembodiments of decorative athletic earpieces. Earpieces are designed tobe worn during sporting competitions, especially during contact sports.Earpieces are designed to securely fasten to different portions of anear.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown therein an athlete 10 who playstennis—a non-contact sport. Since tennis is a non-contact sport therules governing wearing jewelry are more lenient than with contactsports. As shown, tennis players often enjoy the benefit of wearingtraditional earrings 20 and necklaces 30 during competition. Earrings 20can be composed of metal and can be of the pierced kind. The same isalso true of necklaces and “tennis” bracelets. This ability toaccessorize during play allows tennis players to enhance theiraesthetic. Branding and marketing opportunities are also improved withthe ability to accessorize.

Turning now to FIGS. 2A-B, there is shown a side-by-side comparison ofanother athlete 50 playing basketball. Particularly, the athlete 50 isshooting a free throw shot. In televised matches, close-ups ofathletes—e.g., as shown in FIGS. 3A-B—are often broadcast while theathlete 50 is at the free-throw line. As shown in FIG. 2A, the athlete50 is without an earpiece. Traditional jewelry would ordinarily beprohibited. In FIG. 2B, the athlete 50 has an earpiece 60 according toan exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Even from a somewhatdistant perspective the decorative earpiece 60 is noticeable. Certainly,from a close-up shot, as shown in FIGS. 3A-B, the aesthetic of theathlete 50 is significantly increased with the addition of the earpiece60.

FIG. 4 shows an assembly view of the ear-to-earpiece connection.Earpiece 60 includes a design surface 70, as also shown in FIG. 6.Design surface 70 opposes a side 80 of the ear 90 proximate a face 100,i.e., design surface is displayed in conjunction with any face shot.Design surface 70 includes a sign 110 in this embodiment. Sign 110 canincorporate any number of displays including, for example, brand names,logos, trademarks, numbers, names, images or reflective surfaces. Inthis embodiment, sign 110 is a decal applied to the design surface 70.In other embodiments, sign 110 can be applied using other techniques,including e.g., printing, etching, burning or molding.

Earpiece 60 of FIGS. 4-6 is positionable at two different portions ofthe ear 90. First, earpiece 60 can be clamped around an upper triangularfossa 120 and a helix 130 of the outer ear 90, as shown in FIG. 7.Earpiece 60 is configured to conform to the natural contours of the ear90 and is form-fitted to the ear when attached thereto. An interior (orworn) surface 140 of earpiece 60, as shown in FIGS. 5-6, is deformableand/or spring biased to fit snugly against outer ear portions ofdifferent sizes. Second, the earpiece 60 can be clamped around a lowerpinna 150 of the ear and an earlobe 160 (or auricular lobule, as it issometimes referred to).

In FIG. 5 there is shown therein a cross-sectional view of the earpiece60 of FIG. 4. Earpiece 60 includes a two-piece reinforcement member 170.Reinforcement member 170 includes an upper portion 180 and a lowerportion 190. Upper portion 180 includes two ends 200, 210 connectedthrough a mid-section 220. End 200 is spring biased with respect to themid-section 220. In this embodiment, reinforcement member 170 iscomposed of a polymer. Upper portion 180 is bent at corner 230. End 200is pre-stressed so as to rest away from a face-side 240 of the earpiece60 and to rotate about the corner 230 when pressure is applied towardsthe face-side of the earpiece. Upper portion 180 is also bent at corner250. In this embodiment, end 210 is spring biased with respect tomid-section 220. End 210 is pre-stressed so as to rest towards the faceside 240 of the earpiece 60 and rotate about corner 250 when pressure isapplied towards a display side 260 of the earpiece 60. In this manner,when worn, a section of the ear 90, e.g., a crest of the pinna 150 asillustrated in FIG. 7, is clamped or sandwiched between end 200 and end210 of FIG. 5. Earpiece 60 is form-fitted to the ear 90 at theattachment point, in this case the pinna 150 shown in FIG. 7.

A lower portion 190 of reinforcement member 170, as shown in FIG. 5,also includes two ends 270, 280 connected through a mid-section 290. End270 is spring biased with respect to the mid-section 290. Lower portion190 is bent at corner 300. End 270 is pre-stressed so as to rest awayfrom the face-side 240 of the earpiece 60 and to rotate about the corner300 when pressure is applied towards the face-side of the earpiece.Lower portion 190 is also bent at corner 310 and end 280 is pre-stressedso as to rest towards the face side 240 of the earpiece 60 and rotateabout corner 310 when pressure is applied towards the display side 260of the earpiece. Another section of the ear 90, e.g., the earlobe 160 asillustrated in FIG. 7, is thereby clamped or sandwiched between end 270and end 280 of FIG. 5. Earpiece 60 is form-fitted to the ear 90 at theattachment point, in this case the earlobe 160 as shown in FIG. 7. Inother embodiments, reinforcement member can be composed of othermaterials, e.g., epoxies, foams, rubbers, metals, fiberglass, Kevlar orgels.

Upper and lower portions 180, 190 of reinforcement member 170, as shownin FIG. 5, are coated in an insulation layer 320. Insulation layer 320is an energy absorption material, such as foam. A protective skin 330,as shown in FIGS. 5-6, encases the reinforcement member 170 andinsulation layer 320. Protective skin 330 is an outer layer or housingthat, in this embodiment, wraps around all surfaces of the reinforcementmember 170 and insulation layer 330. In this embodiment, as shown inFIG. 6, reinforcement member 170 extends between a front and rearwardsurface 340, 350 of earpiece 60. Protective skin 330 is composed of arubber. In other embodiments, however, protective skin can be composedof other materials, such as for example, foam, vinyl or cloth. In someembodiments, protective skin 330 includes a feature to add grip orincrease friction along the worn surface 140 of the earpiece 60. Featurecan, for example, be textured or be composed of a different materialthan the remaining portion of the protective skin 330 so as to resistmovement of earpiece 60 with respect to the ear 90. In one embodiment,for example, the feature is composed of a rubber or elastic material.

Turning now to FIGS. 8-9, another exemplary embodiment of an earpiece400 is shown therein. Earpiece 400 can be worn on different places ofthe outer ear 90, e.g., as shown in FIG. 7. With respect to FIG. 8, FIG.8 illustrates a cross-section of the earpiece 400. As shown, earpiece400 includes a reinforcement member 410 that is unitary or continuous.Reinforcement member 410 includes an upper portion 420 and a lowerportion 430. Upper portion 420 includes an end 440 connected to amid-section 450. End 440 is spring biased with respect to themid-section 450. Upper portion 420 is bent at corner 460. End 440 ispre-stressed so as to rest away from a face-side 470 of the earpiece 400and to rotate about the corner 460 when pressure is applied towards theface-side of the earpiece. Upper portion 420 is also bent at corner 480.In this manner, when worn, a section of the ear, e.g., a crest of thehelix 130 as shown in FIG. 7, is clamped or sandwiched between end 440and wall 490 of reinforcement member 410. Earpiece 400 is form-fitted tothe ear at the attachment point.

A lower portion 430 of reinforcement member 410, as shown in FIGS. 8 and9, also includes an end connected to a mid-section 500. End 510 isspring biased with respect to the mid-section 500. Lower portion 430 isbent at corner 520. End 510 is pre-stressed so as to rest away from theface-side 470 of the earpiece 400 and to rotate about the corner 520when pressure is applied towards the face-side 470 of the earpiece 400.Lower portion 430 is also bent at corner 530. Another section of theear, e.g., the earlobe 160 as shown in FIG. 7, is thereby clamped orsandwiched between end 510 and wall 490. Earpiece 400 is form-fitted tothe ear at the attachment point.

Upper and lower portions 420, 430 of reinforcement member 410, as shownin FIGS. 8-9, are coated in an insulation layer 560. Insulation layer540 is an energy absorption material, such as rubber. A protective skin550, as shown in FIGS. 8-9, encases the reinforcement member 410 andinsulation layer 560. Protective skin 550 is an outer layer or housingthat, in this embodiment, wraps around all surfaces of the reinforcementmember 410 and insulation layer 560. In this embodiment, protective skin550 is composed of a rubber. In other embodiments, however, protectiveskin 550 can be composed of other materials, such as for example, foam,vinyl or cloth.

Now turning to FIGS. 10-12, there is shown another exemplary embodimentof an athletic earpiece 600. In this embodiment, earpiece 600 includesan elastic member, 610 as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, that providestension in a vertical direction, V, as shown in FIG. 12. Althoughearpiece 600 can be attached at different portions on the ear 90,earpiece 600 is shown clamped around a lower pinna 150 of the ear 90 andan earlobe 160 in FIG. 10. In this embodiment, earpiece 600 includes adesign surface 620 having a sign 630.

In FIG. 11 there is shown therein a cross-sectional view of the earpiece600 of FIG. 10. Earpiece 600 includes a two-piece reinforcement member640. Reinforcement member 640 includes an upper portion 650 and a lowerportion 660. Upper portion 650 includes two ends 670, 680 connectedthrough a mid-section 690. End 670 is spring biased with respect to themid-section 690. Upper portion 650 is bent at corner 700. End 670 ispre-stressed so as to rest away from a face-side 710 of the earpiece 600and to rotate about the corner 700 when pressure is applied towards theface-side of the earpiece. Upper portion 650 is also bent at corner 720.In this embodiment, end 680 is spring biased with respect to mid-section690. End 680 is pre-stressed so as to rest towards the face side 710 ofthe earpiece 600 and rotate about corner 720 when pressure is appliedtowards a display side 730 of the earpiece 600.

Lower portion 660 of reinforcement member 640, as shown in FIGS. 11-12,also includes two ends 740, 750 connected through a mid-section 760. End740 is spring biased with respect to the mid-section 760. Lower portion660 is bent at corner 770. End 740 is pre-stressed so as to rest awayfrom the face-side 710 of the earpiece 600 and to rotate about thecorner 770 when pressure is applied towards the face-side of theearpiece. Lower portion 660 is also bent at corner 780 and end 750 ispre-stressed so as to rest towards the face side 710 of the earpiece 600and rotate about corner 780 when pressure is applied towards the displayside 730 of the earpiece. Another section of the ear, e.g., the earlobe160 as shown in FIG. 10, is thereby clamped or sandwiched between end740 and end 750.

In this embodiment, elastic member 610 connects the upper and lowerportions 650, 660 of the reinforcement member 640. Elastic member 610 iscomposed of rubber strands 790 that extend between each portion 650, 660of the reinforcement member 640. Strands 790 are attached toreinforcement member ends 680 and 750. In this embodiment, strands 790are adhered to end 680 and end 750, respectively. In other embodiments,strands are braided. Though strands 790 are composed of rubber in thisembodiment, strands can be composed of other materials, e.g., otherpolymers or metal. A protective skin 800, as shown in FIGS. 10-12,encases the reinforcement member 640.

Now turning to FIG. 13, there is shown another exemplary embodiment ofan athletic earpiece 850. In this embodiment, earpiece 850 includes anelastic member 860 that is integrated into a protective skin 870.Earpiece 850 can be attached at different portions on the ear. In FIG.13, there is shown a perspective view of the earpiece 850 with atwo-piece reinforcement member 880 shown in hidden lines. Reinforcementmember 880 includes an upper portion 890 and a lower portion 900. Upperportion 890 includes two ends 910, 930 connected through a mid-section920. End 910 is spring biased with respect to the mid-section 920. Upperportion 890 is bent at corner 940. End 910 is pre-stressed so as to restaway from a face-side 950 of the earpiece 850 and to rotate about thecorner 940 when pressure is applied towards the face-side of theearpiece. Upper portion 890 is also bent at corner 960. In thisembodiment, end 930 is spring biased with respect to mid-section 920.End 930 is pre-stressed so as to rest towards the face side 950 of theearpiece 850 and rotate about corner 960 when pressure is appliedtowards a display side 970 of the earpiece.

Lower portion 900 of reinforcement member 880, as shown in FIG. 13, alsoincludes two ends 980, 990 connected through a mid-section 1000. End 980is spring biased with respect to the mid-section 1000. Lower portion 900is bent at corner 1010. End 980 is pre-stressed so as to rest away fromthe face-side 950 of the earpiece 850 and to rotate about the corner1010 when pressure is applied towards the face-side 950 of the earpiece.Lower portion 900 is also bent at corner 1020 and end 990 ispre-stressed so as to rest towards the face side 950 of the earpiece 850and rotate about corner 1020 when pressure is applied towards thedisplay side 970 of the earpiece. Another section of the ear, e.g., theearlobe 160 as shown in FIG. 10, is thereby clamped or sandwichedbetween end 980 and end 990.

In this embodiment, an elastic member 860 connects the upper and lowerportions 890, 900 of the reinforcement member 850. A protective skin870, as shown in FIG. 13, encases the reinforcement member 880. Elasticmember 860 is incorporated into protective skin 870. Elastic member 860and protective skin 870 are composed of a material designed to achievethe desired elastic properties and protective insulation, e.g., arubber. In other embodiments an insulation layer is applied between thereinforcement member 880 and protective skin 870.

Now turning to FIGS. 14A-C and 15, there is shown another exemplaryembodiment of an athletic earpiece 1100. In this embodiment, earpiece1100 includes a temple 1110 attached to a protective skin 1120 andconfigured to wrap around a back of the outer ear 90. Temple 1110includes a temple end 1130 that rests on a front of the ear 90, asshown. End 1130 is pre-stressed and spring biased towards a mid-sectionof temple, 1140 as shown in FIG. 14C. A top portion 1150 of temple 1110is also spring biased towards a bottom portion 1160 of temple when worn.In this manner additional tension is applied by the earpiece 1100 duringwear. Protective skin 1120 and temple 1110 can be composed of the samematerial or different materials. In this embodiment, protective skin1120 and temple 1110 are composed of a polymer. In other embodiments,temple 1110 includes a reinforcement member 1170 that can be coated withan insulation layer.

Reinforcement member 1170, of FIG. 15, includes an upper portion 1180and a lower portion 1190. Upper portion 1180 includes two ends 1200,1210 connected through a mid-section 1230. End 1200 is spring biasedwith respect to the mid-section 1230. Upper portion 1180 is bent atcorner 1240. End 1200 is pre-stressed so as to rest away from aface-side 1250 of the earpiece 1100 and to rotate about the corner 1240when pressure is applied towards the face-side of the earpiece. Upperportion 1180 is also bent at corner 1260. In this embodiment, end 1210is spring biased with respect to mid-section 1230. End 1210 ispre-stressed so as to rest towards the face side 1250 of the earpiece1100 and rotate about corner 1260 when pressure is applied towards adisplay side 1270 of the earpiece.

Lower portion 1190 of reinforcement member 1170, as shown in FIG. 15,also includes two ends 1280, 1290 connected through a mid-section 1305.End 1280 is spring biased with respect to the mid-section 1305. Lowerportion 1190 is bent at corner 1315. End 1280 is pre-stressed so as torest away from the face-side 1250 of the earpiece 1100 and to rotateabout the corner 1315 when pressure is applied towards the face-side1250 of the earpiece. Lower portion 1190 is also bent at corner 1325 andend 1290 is pre-stressed so as to rest towards the face side 1250 of theearpiece 1100 and rotate about corner 1325 when pressure is appliedtowards the display side 1270 of the earpiece. Another section of theear, e.g., the earlobe 160, is thereby clamped or sandwiched between end1280 and end 1290. In the illustrated embodiment, of FIGS. 14A-C and 15,the temple 1110 is bare or exposed. In other embodiments, the temple1110 is covered with a jacket that overlays the protective skin 1120.Jacket can be fitted to the temple 1110 or extend therefrom, e.g., tocover other areas of the outer ear like the helix. Jacket is formed ofcloth in one embodiment but can be composed of other materials.

Now turning to FIGS. 16A-B thru 19A-B, there is shown therein anotherexemplary embodiment of an athletic earpiece 1300. In this embodiment,earpiece 1300 is configured with a reinforcement member 1310 having aset of leaf springs 1320, 1330 that have a longitudinal axis parallel toa longitudinal axis of the earpiece 1300, as shown in FIG. 17. Aprotective skin 1340 has a design surface 1350, as shown in FIG. 16A.Earpiece 1300 is configured to cusp and clamp a portion of the ear,e.g., the earlobe 160, in a hairclip type fashion, as shown in FIGS.16A-B. Reinforcement member 1310 provides tension against two opposingsides of the ear along a length of the earpiece 1300.

A longitudinal axis of the reinforcement member, L_(R), is substantiallyparallel to a longitudinal axis of the earpiece, L_(E), as shown in FIG.17. Reinforcement member 1310 includes two leaf springs 1320, 1330configured to extend along axis L_(R). Reinforcement member 1310provides tension against a side of the ear along a length of theearpiece, l. Leaf springs 1320, 1330 are interconnected at 1360. Leafsprings 1320, 1330 include orifices 1370. In this embodiment,reinforcement member 1310 is composed of a polymer. When pressure isapplied in one direction leaf spring 1330 overcomes spring 1320 andreinforcement member 1310 is in a closed position, shown in FIG. 19A.When pressure is applied in another direction, against the firstdirection, leave spring 1320 overcomes spring 1330 and reinforcementmember is in an opened position, shown in FIG. 19B. Protective skin1340, as shown in FIG. 17 encases the reinforcement member 1310.

Now turning to FIGS. 20 thru 22A-B, there is shown therein anotherexemplary embodiment of an athletic earpiece 1400. In this embodiment,earpiece 1400 is configured with a reinforcement member 1410 having asingle leaf spring 1420 that has a longitudinal axis parallel to alongitudinal axis of the earpiece, as shown in FIG. 21. Protective skin1430 has a design surface 1440, as shown in FIG. 20. Protective skin1430, as shown in FIGS. 20 through 22A-B, encases the reinforcementmember 1410. Reinforcement member 1410 or leaf spring 1420 providestension against a side of the ear along a length of the earpiece, l, asshown in FIG. 20. A portion 1450 of the protective skin 1430 isconfigured to rest on a side 1460 of the ear 90 opposite a leaf-springside 1470 of the ear.

A longitudinal axis of the reinforcement member, L_(R′), issubstantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the earpiece, L_(E′),as shown in FIG. 21. Leaf spring 1420 is configured to extend along axisL_(R′). In this embodiment, reinforcement member 1410 is composed of apolymer. When pressure is applied in one direction leaf spring 1420 isout of tension and a worn surface 1480 of earpiece is opened or exposed,as shown in FIG. 22A. When pressure is applied in another direction,against the first direction, leave spring 1420 applies a tensionclamping the ear inside the earpiece 1400, shown in FIG. 22B.

Insulation layers can be added or removed on any of the embodimentsdiscussed. In some embodiments multiple insulation layers are used. Inother embodiments, a partial or no insulation layer is added between thereinforcement member and protective skin. In some other embodiments, aninsulation layer is nested inside of the reinforcement member.

Various manufacturing techniques can be implemented to construct theexemplary earpieces discussed herein. For example, in one embodiment,the reinforcement members are injection molded and pre-stressedthereafter. An insulation layer is sprayed onto the reinforcementmembers, which are subsequently inserted into another mold. Protectivelayer is then formed or molded around the reinforcement member. Othermanufacturing techniques can be utilized to form, attach or enclose thevarious components of each earpiece, including but not limited to,extrusion, lathing, cutting, sewing, curing, or milling.

While some modes for carrying out the disclosed techniques have beendescribed in detail, those familiar with the art to which this area oftechnology pertains will recognize various alternative designs andembodiments for practicing the disclosed techniques.

We claim:
 1. A decorative athletic earpiece, comprising: a reinforcementmember having: (i) a first portion positionable at a first section of anear, with a first end spring biased; and (ii) a second portionpositionable at a second section of the ear, with a second end springbiased; and a protective skin at least partially covering thereinforcement member; wherein the protective skin is configured toform-fit the ear at an attachment point.
 2. The earpiece of claim 1,wherein the protective skin includes a design surface configured todisplay a sign.
 3. The earpiece of claim 1, further comprising: anelastic member connecting the first portion and second portion of thereinforcement member.
 4. The earpiece of claim 3, wherein the elasticmember is integrated into the protective skin.
 5. The earpiece of claim1, further comprising: an insulation layer between the protective skinand reinforcement member.
 6. The earpiece of claim 1, wherein thereinforcement member is at least partially composed of a polymer.
 7. Theearpiece of claim 1, further comprising: a temple configured to at leastpartially wrap around the ear.
 8. The earpiece of claim 7, wherein thetemple includes a temple end spring biased toward a midsection of thetemple.
 9. The earpiece of claim 8, wherein a top portion of the templeis spring biased with respect to a bottom portion of the temple.
 10. Adecorative athletic earpiece, comprising: a reinforcement member having:(i) a first portion with a first leaf spring; and (ii) a second portionwith a second leaf spring; and a protective skin at least partiallycovering the reinforcement member; wherein the first portion and secondportion are interconnected; wherein the first and second leaf springshave a longitudinal axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of theearpiece.
 11. The earpiece of claim 10, wherein the protective skin isconfigured to form-fit an ear at an attachment point.
 12. The earpieceof claim 10, wherein the protective skin includes a design surfaceconfigured to display a sign.
 13. The earpiece of claim 10, furthercomprising: an insulation layer between the protective skin andreinforcement member.
 14. The earpiece of claim 10, wherein the firstportion or second portion includes an aperture.
 15. The earpiece ofclaim 10, wherein the reinforcement member is at least partiallycomposed of a polymer.
 16. A decorative athletic earpiece, comprising: areinforcement member having a leaf spring; and a protective skin atleast partially covering the reinforcement member; wherein a portion ofthe protective skin is configured to rest on a side of the ear oppositea leaf-spring side of the ear; wherein the leaf spring has alongitudinal axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the earpiece. 17.The earpiece of claim 16, wherein the protective skin is configured toform-fit the ear at an attachment point.
 18. The earpiece of claim 16,wherein the protective skin includes a design surface configured todisplay a sign.
 19. The earpiece of claim 16, further comprising: aninsulation layer between the protective skin and reinforcement member.20. The earpiece of claim 16, wherein the reinforcement member is atleast partially composed of a polymer.